Astronomy (ASTRON)

Courses

ASTRON 3Introduction to Modern Cosmology2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Description of research and results in modern extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We read the stories of discoveries of the principles of our Universe. Simple algebra is used.Introduction to Modern Cosmology: Read More [+]

ASTRON 7AIntroduction to Astrophysics4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This is the first part of an overview of astrophysics, with an emphasis on the way in which physics is applied to astronomy. This course deals with the solar system and stars, while 7B covers galaxies and cosmology. Solar system topics include orbital mechanics, geology of terrestrial planets, planetary atmospheres, and the formation of the solar system. The study of stars will treat determination of observations, properties and stellar structure, and evolution. The physics in this course includes mechanics and gravitation; kinetic theory of gases; properties of radiation and radiative energy transport; quantum mechanics of photons, atoms, and electrons; and magnetic fields.Introduction to Astrophysics: Read More [+]

ASTRON 7BIntroduction to Astrophysics4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
This is the second part of an overview of astrophysics, which begins with 7A. This course covers the Milky Way galaxy, star formation and the interstellar medium, galaxies, black holes, quasars, dark matter, the expansion of the universe and its large-scale structure, and cosmology and the Big Bang. The physics in this course includes that used in 7A (mechanics and gravitation; kinetic theory of gases; properties of radiation and radiative energy transport; quantum mechanics of photons, atoms, and electrons; and magnetic fields) and adds the special and general theories of relativity.Introduction to Astrophysics: Read More [+]

ASTRON 9Selected Topics in Astronomy3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session
This seminar will explore one of a variety of subjects in greater depth than in introductory courses. Possible topics include stars, galaxies, the solar system, the interstellar medium, relativity and cosmology, history of astronomy, observational astronomy, and life in the universe.Selected Topics in Astronomy: Read More [+]

ASTRON 10Introduction to General Astronomy4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
A description of modern astronomy with emphasis on the structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. Additional topics optionally discussed include quasars, pulsars, black holes, and extraterrestrial communication, etc. Individual instructor's synopses available from the department.Introduction to General Astronomy: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Astronomy 10 after taking Astronomy 7A or 7B, XAstronomy 10. Students can remove a deficient grade in XAstronomy 10 by taking Astronomy 10, Letter and Science C70U or Astronomy C10.

ASTRON C10Introduction to General Astronomy4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
A description of modern astronomy with emphasis on the structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. Additional topics optionally discussed include quasars, pulsars, black holes, and extraterrestrial communication, etc. Individual instructor's synopses available from the department.Introduction to General Astronomy: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for 10 after taking 7A or 7B.

ASTRON N10Introduction to General Astronomy3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The nature and evolution of the universe: history of astronomical knowledge; overall structure of the universe; galaxies, radio galaxies, peculiar galaxies, and quasars; structure and evolution of stars; exploding stars, pulsars, and black holes; exploration of the solar system; the search for extraterrestrial life.Introduction to General Astronomy: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: High school algebra will be presumed but used sparingly

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for 10 after taking 7.

ASTRON C12The Planets3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe.The Planets: Read More [+]

ASTRON W12The Planets3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2016 10 Week Session, Summer 2015 8 Week Session
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe. This course is web-based.The Planets: Read More [+]

ASTRON C13Origins: from the Big Bang to the Emergence of Humans4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
This course will cover our modern scientific understanding of origins, from the Big Bang to the formation of planets like Earth, evolution by natural selection, the genetic basis of evolution, and the emergence of humans. These ideas are of great intrinsic scientific importance and also have far reaching implications for other aspects of people's lives (e.g., philosophical, religious, and political). A major theme will be the scientific method and how we know what we know.Origins: from the Big Bang to the Emergence of Humans: Read More [+]

ASTRON 24Freshman Seminars1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2011, Spring 2011
The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester.Freshman Seminars: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of seminar per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Astronomy/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.

ASTRON 39Seminar1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2011, Spring 2008, Spring 2007
A small-size undergraduate seminar exploring one astronomical topic in depth. Students are responsible for much of the presentation.Seminar: Read More [+]

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Astronomy/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.

ASTRON 84Sophomore Seminar1 or 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: At discretion of instructor

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.

ASTRON 120Optical and Infrared Astronomy Laboratory4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This course requires four to six experiments such as the following: accurate position and brightness measurements of stars; laboratory exploration of the characteristics of two-dimensional charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and infrared detectors; measurement of the distance, reddening, and age of a star cluster; measurement of the Stokes parameters and linear polarization of diffuse synchrotron and reflection nebulae; measurement of the period and pulse shape of the Crab pulsar using Fourier techniques. Professional telescopes will be used such as those at Leuschner Observatory and Lick Observatory. There is a emphasis on error analysis, software development in the IDL language, and high-quality written reports.Optical and Infrared Astronomy Laboratory: Read More [+]

ASTRON 121Radio Astronomy Laboratory4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Several basic laboratory experiments that concentrate on microwave electronics and techniques; construction of receiving, observing, and data analysis systems for two radioastronomical telescopes, a single-dish 21-cm line system and a 12-GHz interferometer; use of these telescopes for astronomical observing projects including structure of the Milky Way galaxy, precise position measurement of several radio sources, and measurement of the radio brightness distributions of the sun and moon with high angular resolution. There is a heavy emphasis on digital data acquisition, software development in the IDL language, and high-quality written reports.Radio Astronomy Laboratory: Read More [+]

ASTRON C161Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Elements of general relativity. Physics of pulsars, cosmic rays, black holes. The cosmological distance scale, elementary cosmological models, properties of galaxies and quasars. The mass density and age of the universe. Evidence for dark matter and dark energy and concepts of the early universe and of galaxy formation. Reflections on astrophysics as a probe of the extrema of physics.Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology: Read More [+]

ASTRON C228Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
A survey of physical cosmology - the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics include the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, thermal history and big bang nucleosynthesis, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and large scale structure, the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave radiation, inflation in the early universe, tests of cosmological models, and current research areas. The course complements the material of Astronomy 218.Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: Read More [+]

ASTRON C249Solar System Astrophysics3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2011, Fall 2008
The physical foundations of planetary sciences. Topics include planetary interiors and surfaces, planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres, and smaller bodies in our solar system. The physical processes at work are developed in some detail, and an evolutionary picture for our solar system, and each class of objects, is developed. Some discussion of other (potential) planetary systems is also included.Solar System Astrophysics: Read More [+]

ASTRON 292Seminar1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
In addition to the weekly colloquium, the Department offers seminars in advanced topics, several of which are announced at the beginning of each semester. A maximum of 5 units may be taken per semester with a limitation of 2 in any one section.Seminar: Read More [+]

ASTRON C292Planetary Science Seminar1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
The departments of Astronomy and Earth and Planetary Science offer a joint research seminar in advanced topics in planetary science, featuring speakers drawn from graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars. Topics will span planetary interiors; surface morphology; atmospheres; dynamics; planet formation; and astrobiology. Speakers will vary from semester to semester. Meetings will be held once a week for 1 hour each, and the schedule of speakers will be determined on the first day of class. To pass the class, participants will be required to give a 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature.Planetary Science Seminar: Read More [+]

ASTRON 301Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2004, Fall 2003, Fall 2002
Open to a limited number of highly qualified undergraduate students interested in astronomy teaching at the college level. Students will participate in a seminar on educational methods and engage in tutorial or laboratory teaching under supervision of a faculty member.Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: An elementary astronomy course and consent of instructor

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 units.Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.

ASTRON 375Instruction Techniques in General Astronomy2 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2014, Spring 2014
Discussion and practice of teaching techniques as applied to astronomy. Open to graduate students who are presently teaching assistants or associates. Two units for course plus one section; three units for two discussion sections.Instruction Techniques in General Astronomy: Read More [+]

ASTRON 602Individual Study for Doctoral Students1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. (and other doctoral degrees). May not be used for unit or residence requirement for the doctoral degree.Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

When you print this page, you are actually printing everything within the tabs on the page you are on: this may include all the Related Courses and Faculty, in addition to the Requirements or Overview. If you just want to print information on specific tabs, you're better off downloading a PDF of the page, opening it, and then selecting the pages you really want to print.